Research Astronaut Robot Mission Simulator (ARMS)

NYU-X researcher Win Burleson was part of the Motivational research group that developed an Astronaut Robot Mission Simulator (ARMS) for planetary exploration and education in collaboration with ASU’s School of Earth and Space Exploration, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, MIT, and other industry partners.ASU’s 260-degree, advanced visualization center, was used to create a virtual lunar environment for experiments designing and iterating optimal strategies for scientific data acquisition. The goal is to not only inform best practices for human-robotic extra vehicular activities (EVAs), but to explore the design process itself and inform and advance efforts by NASA, academic scientists, engineers and educators.ARMS is advancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education and outreach linked to national educational standards, including planetary terrain mapping and “pet-building/owning” activities. Other collaborators included ASU’s School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) Mars Education Program (MEP), the Center for Research in Science, Math, Engineering and Technology (CRESMET), to conduct workshops with teachers, students, women, and underrepresented minorities, in an effort to make many of the experiences publicly available online.